Divine Mavungu (14) of Hoërskool Alberton has huge sports ambitions and the future is bright for this young athlete.

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This Grade Nine learner was awarded a gold and silver medal at the South Africa Schools Athletics earlier this year, which was an incredible honour for him.

“It was an amazing dream come true and I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Divine remarked.

Divine was interviewed by the Alberton Record / Comaro Chronicle to talk about his sports history and his future.

Divine represented his school this year at the SA Schools Athletics where he came sixth in the 200m, sixth in the 100m and received a gold and a silver medal for his relay performance.

He recorded his personal best time, which was 10.91, at the provincials this year. He was also awarded his SA colours.

“Clocking my personal goals and representing my school at such a massive event is a most pleasurable feeling.”
Divine started athletics in Grade Three at Colin Mann Primary School.

“I made it to the provincials where I claimed fourth place. I qualified for the SAs, but I could not compete that year as I was too young.”

His highlights include competing at the district and provincials every year since Grade Three. He qualified for SAs four times in his athletic career.

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Covid-19 made it hard for him as there were no school athletics events.

He is also a member of the Boksburg Athletics Club and he competed at a provincial competition this year where he received first place and qualified to go through to the SAs but due to unforeseen circumstances, he could not compete.

It is one of his goals to compete in the Junior Olympics one day.

Balancing school and athletics

“I train six days a week for the whole year,” said Divine. He said he feels like he does not have enough hours in a day to do what he wants to do.

“I take my school work very seriously and that is why I always make sure that there is a balance between my academics and my athletics.”

When he gets the chance, he will focus on his school work to make sure that he knows what is going on and that he doesn’t fall behind.

“Running and exercising is what I do best. It is my happy place and where I can escape reality,” he said.

Divine said being an athlete is hard work as you don’t just train for the athletic season, but you train throughout the year to stay fit.

“I train a lot and I do need to watch what I eat and drink,” he said.

Short distances and relay are what Divine is passionate about.

Older athletes inspire him because he finds it fascinating to see how they train and compete.

“Athletes are fueled by non-believers.

They possess the ability to overcome adversity like no other. Where others see fear, they see the symbolism of what they want and go for it.”

 On a personal note

Divine was born in Germiston and grew up in Elsburg with his two brothers. He is the middle child.

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In 2011 he moved with his family to Lambton where they are currently staying. When he is not busy training or catching up on school work he enjoys making gifts.

“I like being creative and making stuff. I also like inventing new things.”

He also enjoys watching TV and listening to music. When he grows up, he wants a career in the sports industry.
Something people don’t know about him is that he is frightened of birds, cockroaches and dogs.

“I also want to take this opportunity to say thank you God for blessing me with this talent.

Thank you to my parents, my friends, my school and my coach, Lindie du Plessis for supporting and believing in me,” he concluded.